{"data":{"id":"us/42-cfr-421.3","jurisdiction":"us","citation":"42 CFR 421.3","heading":"Definitions.","body":"As used in this part—\nIntermediary means an entity that has a contract with CMS (under statutory provisions in effect prior to October 1, 2005) to determine and make Medicare payments for Part A or Part B benefits payable on a cost basis (or under the prospective payment system for hospitals) and to perform other related functions. For purposes of applying the performance criteria in § 421.120 and the performance standards in § 421.122 and any adverse action resulting from that application, the term “intermediary” also means a Blue Cross plan that has entered into a subcontract approved by CMS with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association to perform intermediary functions.","path":["Title 42—Public Health","CHAPTER IV—CENTERS FOR MEDICARE \u0026 MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","SUBCHAPTER B—MEDICARE PROGRAM","PART 421—MEDICARE CONTRACTING","Subpart A—Scope, Definitions, and General Provisions"],"source_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/api/versioner/v1/full/2026-08-25/title-42.xml","current_through":"2026-08-25","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T02:26:11Z","sha256":"0db0e0a990bf7a0be22e33d3a6c93dec18b1cd8e093ca11747ae18e2c09ae094","source_id":"us-cfr","stale":true,"prev":"us/42-cfr-421.1","next":"us/42-cfr-421.5"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}